Setting up proxies for rank tracking
Search results depend on location. A rank tracker that checks from one server reports one view, and not your customers' view.
Why location matters
Local results, shopping boxes and maps change with the searcher's city. To see what a customer in a city sees, the check has to come from that city.
Why static helps
A fixed address makes a repeated check comparable day to day, so a movement in rank reflects the page and not a new address. ISP and datacenter proxies let you choose the city.
Sizing
Search engines rate limit by address. Work out how many checks you make per hour and spread them over enough addresses that no one sends more than a person would. The how-many-proxies guide shows the arithmetic.
Respect the terms
Read the search engine's terms before automating queries against it, and keep the request rate low.
Keep reading
Put it into practice
Create an account and place a small first order.